Growing up in the 1970s, I had no interest in being a housewife. I must confess that I don't remember this word being used as often as the less appealing term “housewife.” This is a bit of a silly term because it means that a wife can exist in multiple different locations.
But I had absorbed the cultural message that women with brains didn't want to stay home and collect dust. And although I had a wonderful mother, she went back to work when I was in elementary school. Therefore, my role model was not a calm and productive housewife, but a typical working mother who didn't have much time and worked long hours.
Let's be honest, this woman might also be leaving her dirty socks on the floor, but she's also bought matching cushions, planted potted flowers on her patio, and lit scented candles.
Therefore, the dignity of housing management as a profession was a completely foreign concept to me. But what I would like to argue today is that a married Christian woman should consider “housewife” her primary occupation. It doesn't matter if you have another job, have a career that you love, and if children are part of your family at the moment.
Christian women, listen up. This is a story about how God created us. However, you don't even have to believe in the Bible to recognize that reality.
true stories about men and women
Whether you're a man or a woman, if you're single, managing a home means dealing with typical housekeeping and maintenance issues. You may have a roommate who takes on some of these responsibilities, but the responsibilities themselves are very simple. This includes meal planning and preparation, cleaning, laundry, taking out the trash, and mowing the lawn (if available).
Now consider what we've seen so far about the average single man's home or apartment and the average single woman's home or apartment. You know what I'm saying. Men and women differ greatly in their level of neatness, but men are far less likely to buy a cushion or a potted plant, and the stereotype is that there's a dirty sock on the floor somewhere (the stereotype is (Remember, it's usually based on reality!). Let's be honest, that woman might also be leaving her dirty socks on the floor, but she's also buying matching cushions, planting potted flowers on her patio, and lighting scented candles.
The world recognizes this. Household goods retailer Home Goods has built an entire advertising campaign around encouraging women to “go hunting” for the things they need at home. Although there are several men in the commercial (somewhat unrealistic; I know very few, if any, husbands who would be excited to “go looking”), this ad clearly shows that We target people who like and enjoy buying things for themselves. house. See who it is (despite the thumbnail photo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3krekm4KCSc
So advertisers also understand that men and women are different in this field (although the guy in the thumbnail was pretty excited about his artwork). It's just a fact of life that women tend to be naturally drawn to making their homes more beautiful.
Similarly, once a man is paired with a woman, he tends to have a natural urge to protect and provide for her, unless that instinct is stifled by fierce feminist rhetoric. This is true for some young men.
However, when a (godly) man marries, he assumes a God-given responsibility to protect and provide for his wife. This doesn't mean she might not be able to “provide” as well, but that's his focus. All of history supports this view. Good people have always sought to protect and provide.
And what is her focus? Again, for most of its history, this was its home base. And she was someone driven to create a clean, attractive and comfortable haven, at least in a time and place where life was about more than just survival.
Again, she may hold down work and he may help with the household chores, but most of the time she is responsible for what is happening at home. This is why many women with demanding careers wish they had a “wife” who would take care of everything for them.
This is why even women who can afford a full-time housekeeper, cook, driver, or nanny know that they are responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly. Managing a home is a complex job. Again, men don't do that (generally speaking, I'd stop using this word, knowing I'm not saying it never happens) Because I believe in it).
Moreover, biologically, women are literally built to nurture. Having a baby means building a nest at home for them and us. We aim to create a safe, peaceful and beautiful place to call home. A place that refreshes and recharges us and our husbands, a place that serves as a springboard for our children to learn, grow, thrive, and be loved.
Not a bad system
When women know that their husbands will always take the initiative to ensure that they provide for their needs, they are free to make their homes the best possible refuge for their individual families. You will be able to work on it. This allows him to focus on being a better provider and protector, which in turn allows her to become a better home manager. See how it all works?
This is not to say that a wife, for example, cannot manage the household finances. In fact, it's often an integral part of managing your household finances. Similarly, the husband may be responsible for the laundry and grocery shopping. It's not that women can't earn an income. Each couple's approach will be different, depending on their personal preferences and gifts.
But there's something to be said. Husband, this big part of our life is primarily your responsibility. And wife, this big part of our life is primarily in your hands. And a large portion of them often seem to neatly correspond to the reality of how God created men and how he created women – even today.
head housekeeper
Therefore, being a housewife means not only managing the physical home, but also overseeing everything that happens in it. It serves as the chief executive of the household, and it is far greater than my younger, ignorant self realized. This involves more than just dusting and changing diapers.
To manage your home faithfully and productively, you need to learn the following skills:
- management
- organization
- plan
- the study
- Schedule settings
- design
- nutrition and meal planning
- child development and education
- Learn hospitality techniques
A side note on the last bullet point. Biblical hospitality, which the Bible repeatedly teaches us to extend to both other believers and those in need, is rarely practiced regularly when both husband and wife work outside the home. It's possible. It's very difficult to open your home to outsiders when you don't have someone based there to make it happen.
In any case, becoming a housing manager is the most complex and challenging profession a person can take on, and certainly the most important. And that applies to the role, whether it's a man or a woman. But women are generally better at it.
embrace femininity
Also note that even in the absence of children and husbands, women cultivate and create beauty and order. Because, again, that's how God made us. Whether you are single, married or a mother, we encourage you to embrace your feminine instincts and bring beauty, order and tranquility to your home.
In the meantime, if you are in another profession, your job is not your full-time job, but a home that refreshes, recharges, and equips each family member to become the person God created them to be. Think of it as a means to a larger goal of promoting. As a house that accepts outsiders.
But I'll leave it here as food for thought. If you meet someone new and they ask you what you do, how do you feel about saying “I'm mainly a housewife” (even if you have another job)? ?
